Change of Command Ceremony for HMNZS TE KAHA

Authorities

February 4, 2013

A Change of Command ceremony for the frigate HMNZS TE KAHA was held on 1 February at Devonport Naval Base. Commander David McEwan RNZN assumed Command and Commander Jon Beadsmore relinquished Command. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Jack Steer presided.

TE KAHA is built to the German MEKO 200 Class design. Sections of the ship were built spearately (some in NZ) and then combined to produce the final product. A significant proportion of TE KAHA’s internal equipment was built in New Zealand. There are ten ships in the ANZAC-class, eight Australian and two New Zealand ships.

Specifications:

Standard Displacement: 3,600 tonnes
Length Overall: 118 metres
Beam: 14.8 metres
Draught: 6.2 metres
Speed: 27+ knots
Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots
Complement: 177 Officers and ratings

Propulsion: Combined Diesel or Gas Turbine (CODOG)

1 GE LM 2500 Gas Turbine (30,000 hp)
2 MTU 12V 1163 Diesel’s (8,500 hp)
Twin Shaft Controllable Pitch Propellers

Armament:

5 inch 54 calibre fully automatic lightweight gun
*Eight cell Vertical Launch System which houses the NATO Seasparrow Mk 41 air defence missile
*PHALANX Close In Weapon System
*Two MK 32 Mod 5 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes

TE KAHA carries one KAMAN SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter that can be armed with torpedoes, depth charges and Maverick missiles.

TE KAHA’s assets include weaponry, radars, sonar and electronic monitoring systems. The combined diesel or gas turbine propulsion system gives her both long range endurance and high speed capability when needed.

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Naval Today Staff, February 4, 2013; Image: RNZN